Collapsible canoe



Aug. 21, 1934. o. v. K. HALD COLLAPSIBLE CANOE Filed Deo. 29, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 1 DW WN NW Patented Aug. 21, 1934 Y a Oscar Valdemark. Haldggst: C

i. ",Qntario, Canad;

atharines, V'

n The 4invention "relates" :to improvements "inl collapsible canoes as described in theflresent.

specification' and "shown in the acicoinpayingvv drawings that form part jof the same',V .L

i y The invention has for its object tnef'prcducnbn ofja canoe composed of Va water-proof canvas covering and a skeletonv framework of'a readily` collapsible nature that willfold into aminimum of spacewhen not required Orford-transportation purposes; This is attained by a framework of ribs connectedV` one to another by'a keel and side members designed to fold inwardly inl order that the ribs 'may come together. The bows' 'are adapted to fold against the'respectivejadjoining ribs, so that thejfentire framework f'occupies but little space and the 'complete canoe when folded makes avportable package` transportable by motor",A K

' faiste'liligjlelements 18` on the ribs and bow-of Athe frame.v :The fastening'velements mayconsist car..

' A distinti; feature` o f ennstrucnonfesides inthei provision of an inflatable floor mat that prevents the canoe'from sizing,

Referring to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the canoe partly in sinking in the event ofits cape` section in order to illustrate to better advantage the framework.

Figure 2 is a plan View thereof with a part of the inflatable mat broken away.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the iniiatable mat.

Figure 4 is a cross section thereof.

Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a rib and its connection with the keel and side members. This view is typical of the connection of the keel and the side members with the ribs, and shows the framework unfolded.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fragmentary part of the frame partly folded.

Figure 7 is a sectional View showing the side members of the frame, illustrated in Figure 6, completely folded. This View also serves to typify the folding of the keel.

Figure 8 is a section taken on line 8 8 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a sectional view of a rib showing the inward folding of the side and keel parts.

Figure 9A is a detail of an upper end of a rib typifying the pivotal connection for the side pieces.

56"; Figure 10 is a longitudinal section of the bow si: Like numerals of reference indicatel correspending parts kin each igurey throughout inthe/' drawings..Vr

` .Inthe drawings'thereference numeral 11i fide#-V notes-thecanvas covering forthe frameof. the hull, which covering is madefromjsuitable 'water-1 prooffmaterial and constructed to the shape "of i the "craft. It is applied to the framebycconl ventionalafasteners of a detachable natin'evtlriatI lend .themselves tothisend. :The seat 15 likewise is of acanvas Aconstruction andl attached tothe frame :by separablefasteners l16. The canoeimayi be fitted with rione or more ofthesethw'arts.v lf

iitretclied,` over theiloor` is'fa Amat logoffine; flatableimaterialisuch as rubberized canvassy The mat-is shown -separatelyin `Figures Brande and" has `fastening elements L17 spaced atfiritervals alongv its edges to detachably connectl with of hooks or Vsnaps and '-eyes. The matj has a' valver19..by:which itfcanbe inflated in order notl only .toA form acushion but' toalsoly render the craftbuoya'nt inLcaseofcaps'izing. ,nyu c The frame is composed of rigid U-shaped ribs 20 spaced at suitable intervals from fore to aft and connected one to another by foldable elements in the form of a keel and side members.

A foldable bow extends from each extreme rib,

as at 21. f

The side members extending between each two adjoining ribs are of identical construction hence a description of one will sulce for all. The side member is composed of a pair of bars 22 and 23 connected by a link 24 pivotally secured in the lotted ends thereof and of a lesser width than the ars. the bars so as to leave a good thickness of metal at the inner side. At the inner side of the link aligned slots 25, 25' are provided in the adjoining ends of the bars, which slots are in a plane at ight angles to the swing or movement of the ars.

Pivoted in the slot 25 is a keeper 26 that swings over into engagement with the companion slot 25 and rests therein-parallel to the length of the bars. It will be apparent by this construction that when the keeper is engaged in the slot 25 it locks the bars in alignment with each other, as best discernible in Figures 5 and 8. When however the keeper is swung out of engagement with the slot 25' the bars can be folded inwardly of the ribs to a position parallel to each other as best seen from an inspection of Figures 6 and 7. The bars are pivotally attached to the ribs by pins 27 located in notches 28 as shown in Figure 9A.

The link is disposed at the outer faces of Each two bars that are connected to a rib are provided with a locking arrangement similar to the keeper aforesaid, i. e., the adjacent ends of the bars are slotted as at 29, 29 on the inner side and a keeper 30 is pivoted in the slot 29 so as to swing into engagement with the slot 29. This not only locks the adjoining bars of two adjoining side members in alignment, but also enables them to swing inwardly when the keeper isdisengaged.

As the side members are folded inwardlytheribsm are brought together as illustrated in Figure 6.

The keel 31 is composed of members similar 1in): construction and operation to the side members above recounted. A keel member extendsbetween each two adjoining ribs andlisrpivoted,4 thereto and composed of a pair of bars 32 joined atjfth'eirg meeting ends by a link. The link allows the bars to fold upwards one against the otherand-'when unfolded they may be locked by a keeper.A '34 Each two adjoining bars that are pivoted to theA Vribs have akeeper `35 to lock them in unfolded re" lation. In order to form a floor the keel members are supplied with transverse treads 3.6 rigidly' secured and disposed between the ribs to cooperate i therewith in sustaining the mat aforesaid.'

,The bow parts Yof the keel are each-composedof two sections 37 and 3'7v pivotally attachedby a' link 38-that enables themto fold together, while a keeper 39 is pivoted to the section V3'? and-.has aA U-shaped portion 40 that ts over the link, con-v.

nection in order to secure thecomponent parts of the bowin unfolded relation; The :section '37 is pivotally attached at4l to therend rib so :as: to fold inwardly thereagainst. -'The'free terminus "42 of the other section however has apair'of detachable wire rods 42 connecting it to the .upper endsl 43 of the end rib. k

It will be manifest from the preceding description that the framework when 'unfolded and secured by the locking elements produces a light and sturdy structure, whichwhencovered .by the; canvas provides aserviceable canoe,the mat of.

which precludes sinking in the case of its upsety, ,1. A` collapsible canoe consisting of a pliant covering, a frame composed of rigid U-shaped ribs ',[disposediatintervals throughout the length thereof; lengthwise members connecting the ribs one to another and being pivoted thereto, said members ,each being composed of a pair of bars linked together medially of their length for folding in- Wardly Vof theribs, slots providedinthebars at the inner' s ide' of the link' connection,falv keper;

pivoted in a slot of'one of the barsand adapted' to engage in. the slot of fthe companion bar.'` .s

` .2. Acollapsible canoe consisting of a'pliant cov- I erin'g,fa frame `composedof rigid U-Shaped ribs disposed at-intervals throughout thelength there-.

of`side members connecting the ribsfone toV ano tl'ier` and beingv pivoted thereto, said members'- having mediallydisposed link jointsto enable' them' to ffold inwardly, keepers for "lockin'g' thev link joints to preclude folding, keel members connectingthe ribs one to another vand beingpivoted thereto, (said -keelfm'e'mbers having medially disposedf link joints to enable them to` fold upwardly, keepers for. locking lthe link joints `thereof topreclud'e folding, a bowk extending fromA each' extreme` rib of the frame and pivoted thereto,`4 each.bow being .composed of apair of sections' linked together,` and a locking element tted to one section 'so asfto embrace Athe link connection.'`

of both sections to render them rigid.

Y pecan VALDEMAR K. HAL." 

